What Are Parking Mandates?
Parking mandates, also known as parking minimums, are zoning
regulations that require developers to build a minimum number of parking
spaces with new housing and commercial developments. These mandates
typically specify a certain number of parking spaces per unit of
housing, square footage of retail space, or other metrics depending on
the development type.
Why Parking Mandates Are Costly:
- Increased Housing Costs: Each parking space can
cost $30,000-$75,000 to build, significantly raising the cost of housing
development and ultimately housing prices.
- Reduced Housing Supply: Land used for parking
cannot be used for additional housing units, limiting the overall
housing supply.
- Environmental Impact: Excessive parking encourages
car dependency, increasing traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
- Inefficient Land Use: Parking lots create “dead
spaces” in urban areas that could otherwise be used for housing,
businesses, or public spaces.
- Economic Burden: Many parking spaces sit empty much
of the time, representing wasted resources and opportunity costs.
Why Parking Mandates Should Be Repealed:
- Market-Based Solutions: Developers can better
determine the appropriate amount of parking based on actual demand
rather than arbitrary requirements.
- Transit-Oriented Development: Eliminating parking
mandates near transit encourages development that leverages existing
public transportation infrastructure.
- Affordability: Reducing or eliminating parking
requirements can make housing more affordable and accessible.
- Sustainability: Less parking promotes walking,
cycling, and public transit use, reducing carbon emissions.
- Vibrant Communities: Space previously dedicated to
parking can be repurposed for housing, businesses, and community
amenities.
Enter: The People Over Parking Act
Interactive Map: Areas Affected by the Updated People Over Parking
Act
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